TooIngenious

The Z24 is still in the truck. It'll be getting pulled and probably rebuilt when I have engine machining class. Would you want it before or after machining? It ran before I pulled the trans, but leaked oil like crazy.

Here's one more! This is my dorm room. These next few weeks are gonna be great.

Decided to crack this sucker back open after nearly 3 years. Truck has been sitting for over a year since the transmission took a shit. 75+ mph trips every other week that last 45 miles one way probably did her in. Can't find a trans anywhere decent priced, so I spent some money and got myself a real nice project. Anybody taking guesses? If you guessed 350/SM465 you'd be correct. Trying to strip as much weight as possible to make it easier to put it on an engine stand. Whole top end is off. Stopping for the night here. Those tires look sad. I'm gonna hit the bed until the morning. Hopefully this will spark some interest!

I've decided to quit this project. I'm going to keep the truck the way it is. I'm going to get a project truck to work on. I'm thinking about a 620. I guess when I get around to actually doing it I'll make a thread about it.

I did a little bit of work yesterday. I took out the Washer Fluid reservoir. The pump didn't work on it, and I could really use the space to mount a train horn under the hood. ;) I started talking with some of my family about the carb I was wanting to get. Turns out I might be getting one for my birthday. Fingers crossed! I'll be calling Weber today to help get a decision between the 32/36 and the 38/38. I was also in my Automotive class today and noticed we have a bunch of equipment I didn't realize we had. (I've only been in the shop for 3 weeks now, and the first two were doing OSHA and other safety classes.) The most important thing I noticed was that we have a piece of equipment that does tire alignment. So guess who might be able to get a free alignment when they mess with their torsion bars? (The answer would be me, by the way. :P) Plus I'd get to learn to use the equipment, so it's a Win-Win. I should be able to do the blocks at my house. I'll also be able to do the rear shocks at home as well.

I was reading through the post with that turbo project other day, but forgot where I saw it at. Thanks for the link! The only concern I have is I live in Florida. From what I've read is the Z18ET exhaust manifold is no where to be found. But I've got a MIG welder and hopefully enough patience to make my own. I've been reading up how to make a custom turbo manifold, and it seems like something I can do the majority of at my home. I'm kind of proficient in ACAD. I was thinking of doing a 3D model of everything and getting the plans printed out so I can have the 'planning' pretty much done. Of course it won't be any where near perfect, but I figure it'll be close enough that I'll have minimal adjustments to do once I get it on the engine. One of the schools I used to go to also has a laser cutter, so I was thinking about getting the manifold gasket and making a drawing in ACAD to cut out the header flange so I know it's perfect. I was reading on a different post about adjusting the torsion bars to drop the front end. For the back I was going to get blocks. I just hope it won't be too harsh of a ride. From what I've read is that a lot of people can't tell the difference. For what the truck is I suppose I couldn't even feel a difference. I kind of want to switch over to a custom 4 link rear suspension setup, but that's 10 years worth of planning I'll have to do, lol. And that's something that I'm not even really sure about. Again from what I've read, 4 links are supposedly very good for drag races depending on the setup. I'm used to seeing 4 links on the 5' lifted mud trucks around where I am, so I'm not totally sure. Still have to look into that further. This truck is still in the planning stages. I hope to get the ball really rolling after I do a tune up and make sure the truck is structurally sound. Or structurally sound enough to last a few years. ;) I plan on leaving the turbo for last, I think. I figured the drop would be easiest to do, at this point. More updates to come. Most of the updates from here on up to I actually start to do the work to it will be what I learn and how I plan on doing it. And hmmm, A rolling stone gathers no moss. I believe that's worthy of a bumber sticker. I'll have to find one.

The title says it all. I plan on making my little Nissan a little ratrod. I just got this truck from my dad. He's had it for over 2 years. It's just been sitting in the yard since then. The only reason he got it tagged and insurance on her is because my little Ranger's transmission needs rebuilt and it was cheaper to get the tag! There's only 81k on the odometer, too! The truck sure is fun to drive, though. I can almost bet it's faster than the Ranger, just because it weighs half as much. I have a very rough outline of where I want the truck to head. I guess I'll list that stuff on here and add stuff as I think of it: 1. Performance- I want a nice sleeper truck. So performance is a must! I want to get a turbo kit and get that ball rolling first, I think. I'll have to do some research, though. I think I want to do a blow through setup, with the carb after the turbo. That seems the best for tuning and what not. But it seems harder to do, but not impossible. I need to figure out what carb I want to go with. The 32/36 seems very popular, but I'm just worried if it'll be able to blow enough air through it to make the turbo worth it. I haven't really checked into anything, yet. I would also need to upgrade the clutch discs, diaphragm springs, and stuff, I'm thinking. I was reading around that the stock clutch slips way too much with that much power. I wanted to get this posted and continue on with research. I'm sure I'll need to upgrade the engine cooling, and maybe transmission cooling? That's another thing I'll be looking into. I want to try and leave the stock exhaust on the truck, but maybe get a cut-out valve so I can have straight pipes for those cool red light races. 2. Stance- I don't mean super weird camber angles and other stupid stuff I've seen some Honda boys do. But like lowering the truck. Right now it's at stock ride height. I have some tires off the Ranger on her, 225/75R14 I think. Or close enough. I measured from the top of the fender well to the ground the other night, but it wasn't on level ground. I'll measure it when I park at Wal-Mart or something eventually. But I want it to be somewhere around a 2"-3" drop up front and about the same for the back. Maybe 3"-4" for the back. 3. Paint- The paint on the truck is decent, I suppose. It has a few spots where paint has been stripped away and the metal has some surface rust. I think it really gives the truck character. Lol. The passenger side has a very nice algae job from sitting in the yard for 2 years. Heck, there's even moss growing on the antenna! To me it's not so bad. I love the algae. It just makes the truck seem slow for some reason. Now for the pictures. Once I figure out how to post them... Omg, guys. I figured it out. So, here's my 2 year paint job. I love how there's nothing below the Nissan badge and there's less algae under the door handle, too. And don't get me started on my performance gas cap... Lol. And here's my high-dollar interior. I have no clue what the seats came out of. I think these came with a bench seat. But mine are performance upgrades, obviously. ;) I plan on stripping all the interior out, anyways. I want to get all that unnecessary weight out. Plus I don't think I'll miss it. I need to redo the floor pans. They're so darn rusted.